Asphalt



(No Model.) 4v Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. BUTCHER. MAGHINI.' PoR HEATINGr AND MIXING ASPHALT.

No. 520,560. l Patented May 29, 1894.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

v(No Model.)

R. BUTGHER. MACHINE FOR HEATING AND MIXING ASPHALT.

` me NATIONAL LwnoenAPnme coMPANv.

wAsNxNsraN. n. c.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

R. BUTCHER. MAGHINE POR HEATING AND MIXING ASPHALT.

No. 520,560, Patented May 29, 1894.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(NOMOdeI') H. BUTGHHH.

MAoHINH HoH HEATING AND MIXINGr ASPHALT. No. 520,560. Patented May 29, 18,94.

THE NATloNAL LlmoeHAPmNa caMPANv.

wAsNmaroN. D. c.

ROBERT BUTOHER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

YIACHINE FOR HEATING AND MIXING ASPHALT.I

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 520,560, datedlVIay 29, 1894.

pplication filed July 11, 1893. Seria] No. 480,155. (No model.)

.To all whom, t may concern.-

Be itknown that I, ROBEBTBUTCHER, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Heating and Mixing Asphalt; and I do declare the following to be a full,`clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present improvements are directed especially to that class of asphalt mixing machines which are mounted upon wheels and are portable to any point where the. asphalt is to be prepared for the laying of a pavement, floor or roof, but I may state that certain of the novel features of which my invention consists may be availed of in other apparatus than that of a portable character.

The following are certain of the principal objects of my invention z--To improve the means of heating the pans for the asphalt or other substance, so as to do away with the expensive transportation of fuel and avoid the subsequent carting'of the ashes and other refuse ordinarily left upon the street after the use of the machine. I thus attain an important advantage in maintaining the neatness of city thoroughfares, as well as attaining much economy in the operation of the machine; to utilize the boiler of the engine which is employed for operating the stirring or mixing devices for the asphalt or other substance, to operate a liquid fuel burner or burners and give to the same a draft or blast which will carry the heating flame longitudinally in the machine so as to heat properly the full length of the asphalt pan, and also, when necessary, to heat any auxiliary receptacle for instance a sand drying pan, which may be situated beyond and contiguous to the asphalt pan or pans; to give by the construction and shape vof the asphalt pan a `greater heating surface, and also enable the stirring devices to be turned or run in such direction as to prevent the asphalt, either in a liquid or solid state, from being carried upward and outward along the sides of the pan or pans and permitted to be wasted over the edges of the latter into the street; to make the whole portable machine as compact and light as possible, especially doing away with heavy grate bars, which it has heretofore been usually necessary to place beneath the asphalt pan for the full length thereof; to provide a more convenient means for heating the sand, separate from but contiguous to the asphalt heating receptacle, thereby enabling the sand to be furnished directly and in highly heated condition, without giving it opportunity to cool or to again take up moisture, to the asphalt receptacle when the asphalt has become sufficiently liquefied and is ready for the addition of the sand; to give to the machine a forced draft by the use of an injected liquid fuel, which will materially assist in extracting the moisture from the asphalt by exhausting froln above the latter the va por which is driven olf bythe heat below; and to enable the machine to hoist to the necessaryl height the asphalt prepared by it, when the latter is to be used in laying a roof, or a iioor at a distance above the ground.

With such objects chiey in view my invention consists in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter more particularlyset forth and claimed.

In order to make my improvements more clearly understood I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting my invention in its useful applications tothe particular construction which, for the sake of illustration, I have delineated.

In said drawings-Figure l is a side view of a portable asphalt mixing machine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view from t-he front, partly in section. Fig. 4 is a rear end view, showing a portion of the machine, a part of the boiler and the supporting frame 4thereof having been removed, and Fig. 5is a ICC.

heating and mixing pan or receptacle above a flue or space 6 through which and beneath the pan 5 products of combustion are adapt` ed to be conducted.

7 is a heavy bracket or frame securely bolted to the front of the fraine 1 at 8 and extending upward and forward as shown in Flg. 1 so as to give sufficient rise to accommodate the turning and locking of the front wheels 9 of the vehicle. These wheels are carrled by an axle 10 having beneath it a strengthening tie rod l1 the outer ends 12 of which engage the inner portions of the journals and the inner ends of which are formed with right and left screw-th reads 13 upon which screws a turn buckle 14 provided with a transverse perforation 15.

16 is the king pin bracket having a central space or aperture 17 in which fits the axle 10 and which incloses the said turn buckle. The bracket is perforated to correspond with the perforations 15 and the bracket and turn buckle are united and the latter kept from turning by a horizontal longitudinal pin or Abolt 17. Upon the upper end of the bracket 16 is formed the king pin 18 which fits in'a vertical bearing 19 formed in the frame 7, in which it is secured by a washer 2O and bolt 2l.

Eyes 22 on the axle 10 serve for the attachment of any suitable gear for drawing the machine. During this operation the strain is taken off from the king pin by a longitudinal rod 23 which is connected atits front end with a pin 24 on the lower end of the king pin bracket 16 and at its rear end with the frame 1 by means of apin 25. The frame 7 is formed or provided on its upper side with longitudinal vertical flanges 26 to which are bolted two or more supporting arches or brackets 27.' The latter carry a pan or receptacle 28 which is situated in front of and contiguous to the asphalt pan 5. The front of this pan 28 is attached to and supported by the vertical portion 29 of the frame 7, and its outer longitudinal edges by angle irons 30.

31 is a plate (Fig. 3) which incloses a space or liue 32 extending longitudinally beneath one-half of the pan 28, communicating at 33 with the front end of the flue 6, and closed at its front end by a plate 34. Each of the latter has an opening 35 communicating with a horizontal duct 36. The latter are situated in the form of boxes one on each side of the machine and communicate at theirinner ends with the base of the smoke stack 37. It will thus be seen that the products of combustion from the heat generator are adapted to pass from the rear of the machine at each side thereof through the spaces 6, 33, 32, 35, 36 and 37, finally escaping into the atmosphere, in their passage thoroughly heating the contents of the pans 5 and 28.

Itis sometimes desired to heat only the pan 5 which is used for the asphalt, without employing the receptacle 28. To this end I provide for cutting off the passage of the flame through the spaces 32 by means of doors 38 which are situated in said spaces and mounted upon horizontal axes-39, so that when turned into avertical position they will substantially correspond with the under side of the pan 28 and close the iiues 32. I furthermore provide a passage way for the products of combustion independent of the flues in question by lining the space formed between the flanges 26 of the frame 7 with fire brick 39 or other suitable non-conducting material, forming a central horizontal flue 40 communicating at its front end with the base of the stack 37 by an aperture 41. Tho bottom of the re spaces 6 is closed by a horiiontal plate 42.

The liquid fuel which, for the object already referred to, I employ in my improved asphalt mixing machine is contained in the form of any suitable oil in the tank 43 mounted at the rear of the machine from which a supply pipe, one for each side of the machine, indicated at 44, descends to and is connected with the rear of a burner 45 of the injector type. This burner is mounted in a box or casing 46'forming a rear extension of the iire 'space 6 to the end that the rear portion of the flame or blast produced by the burner, and which will not be situated or begin immediately at the burner-nozzle will be beneath the rear end of the pan 5 so as to properly heat the asphalt in that part of the receptacle.

The steam for the burners as well as for other purposes hereinafter described is generated in a boiler 3 from which extends a steam pipe 47 to the burner 45. The boiler 3 also is heated by aliquid fuel injector burner 48 supplied with oil by a branch 49 of the pipe 44, and with steam by a branch 50 from the steam pipe 47,. In first setting the machine in operation the steam for the injector burners is generated by a solid fuel such as wood, for which purpose the furnace v4 is provided with a grate 51.

The rear end of the machine is supported on wheels 52 the axle 53 of which is formed with downwardly extending brackets 54 which are bolted to the inner sides of the channeliron 1.

55 and 56 indicate respectively the covers for the pans 5 and 28, which covers are furnished with hinged doors 57 and 58 provided with suitable locking devices 59. Through these doors the asphalt or other material may be introduced into the pans.

It is at present customary to dry the sand which is to be mixed with the asphalt at a place distant from the scene of operations where the mixing machine is situated, in order that the sand may be carted in a lighter condition. It however results from this that the sand becomes cool before it reaches the mixing machine and upon being added in such cooled condition to the asphalt it reduces the temperature of the latter to too low a degree. Moreover if the sand be not immediately used it will take up moist-ure which will then be communicated to the asphalt and the cooking operation of the latter to drive IOO IIO

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o moisture will have to be prolonged. Itis for the purpose of enabling the sand to be heated in contiguity with themixing apparatus, and moreover economically by the same heatlng appliances, that I have devised the receptacle or pan 2S. The sand is introduced into the latter through the doors in the top of the* pan and stirred by means hereinafter described until the moisture is driven off and the sand heated to the requisite degree for combmmg with the asphalt. It is withdrawn from the pan 2S through a Yspout 60.

6l is a casting adapted to receive theinner end of said spout, and secured to the bottom of the pan 28. This casting is provided with a recess 62 in its top surface andimmediately under the bottom plate of the pan 28, in which recess is mounted a sliding plate 63 adapted to be operated by a handle 64 to open orclose the communication between the pan and the spout GO,

In machines of the character described, namely for heating andmixing asphalt, the stirring devices have been operated by a horizontal shaft and ordinarily pass down at one side of the asphalt pan and move upward at the other. At the latter side of the machine, when such stirring devices are employed,the large lumps of unmelted or partly melted asphalt are carried up and often thrown out into the street when one of the doors of the pan happens to be opened, or liquid asphalt carried up in a similar manner was caused to ow over the edge of the pan forming a considerable puddle upon the ground or pavement. In order to obviate such objections, and for other useful purposes, I have materially modilied the shape of the asphalt pan and have caused the stirring devices to cooperate therewith in such manner that their action is always toward the center of the pan. For this purpose the pan is formed in two portions each extending longitudinally at one side of the machine, which portions however communicate with each other and are only partially separated by a central longitudinal elevation 65 formed in the bottom of the pan. Each portion of this pan is formed upon an arc concentric with longitudinal stir shafts. Said shafts, one for each side of the pan, are mounted at the rear ends in bearings 66, and extend forward through the front end of the pan 5. For the sake of economy and convenience in operation I extend these shafts still farther through the sand receptacle 28, and mount their front ends in bearings 66 which are securely bolted to the vertical portion 29 of the frame 7. These shafts are provided with stirrer arms 68 each of which is formed in two portions having recesses adapted to fit the shafts and clamped together and upon the shafts by bolts 69. At their outer ends the said arm portions are formed on their inner or meeting faces with recesses 70 which are inclined as indicated in Fig. 3, in order to receive and firmly hold inclined stirring and mixing blades 71, 72, having' opposite inclinations. In order to give the arms a firmer engagement with the shaft the latter is made square as indicated in Fig. 3. To enable the front wheels to be made of as great a diameter as possible and still turn under the body of the vehicle I place the bottom of the pan 2S at a somewhat greater height than that of the pan 5, thereby making the pan28 of somewhat smaller diameter. The latter pan is formed similarly to the pan 5 already described, and is furnished with stirrer arms of similar character, only of somewhat shorter radius.

At their rear ends the stirrer shafts are provided with worm wheels 80, engaged by oppositely pitched worms 8l upon a single transverse shaft 82, whereby the stirrer shafts are turned in opposite directions, causing their stirrer arms at each side of the machine to move downward and at the center of the machine to move upward. The shaft 82 is mounted in brackets 83, which in turn are supported upon an upright frame Si bolted at its base to the platform 2 or channel-iron l. This transverse shaft will be driven by any suitable engine mounted upon the machine, and which it is not deemed necessary to illustrate, and which will receive its steam supply from the boiler 3 already described.

85 is a chain wheel mounted upon the transverse shaft and connected b v a sprocket chain 86 with a similar wheel S7 mounted upon a second transverse shaft SS in the rear of the boiler. The latter shaftis mounted in aframe S9, and is geared withl and operates a windlass drum 90 mounted in the same frame. When the machine is mixing asphalt for use in laying a roof or oor at a considerable distance above the ground I am thus enabled to quickly hoist the asphalt to the necessary height while it is hot and ready for use without impairing itscondition by a long delay or by slow transportation, at the same time utilizing the power apparatus of the machine for thepurpose.

When the asphalt is ready for use, and mixed with the proper quantity of sand,it is withdrawn from the machine through the spout 91, which is controlled by a sliding valve or gate of a similar character and operated in a similar manner as that which con-V of the fire spaces 6, controlled by sliding doors or'valves 94 by which the quantity of air admitted may be regulated to produce the most perfect combustion in the furnace.

The operation of heating or cooking the asphalt being for the purpose of' driving off its moisture it results that considerable vapor arises from the asphalt in the pan 5. I

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e from the heated asphalt.

materially hasten the drying or cooking operation, by removing quickly the air charged with such moisture from the pan, and supplying in place thereof a dry or heated air or gas adapted to quickly take up more water The pans 5 and 2S communicate with each other above the line of the stirring shafts and the forward end of the sand drying chamber 28 is placed in communication with the chimney stack of the drying furnace. This communicating duct lsshown at 95, and through it the air charged with moisture is adapted to pass both from the asphalt pan and from the sand receptacle. By employing the injector burner or burners as described a sufciently strong blast is produced in the smoke stack of the drying furnace to rapidly carry away into the atmosphere by suction the vapors above referred to. In order to supply their place wlth an air or gas which will act quickly in taking up further moisture, I provide a series of air pipes or ducts 96 leading from the fire space 6 belowr the asphalt pan into the latter, through which a sufficient amount of heated air or gas will pass into the asphalt chamber and over the surface of the asphalt which isbeing operated upon therein. The chamber 28 is provided with/similar pipes 97 communicating at their lower ends with the flues 32.

What I.claim isl. In an asphalt mixing machine the combination with the asphalt pan, of a flame space beneath the same and having acontinuation beyond said pan, the sand drying pan 28 situated contiguous lo the asphalt pan and above said continuation of the fiame space, means for stirring the contents of said pans, and a blast producing device for causing the flame to pass through said space and its continuation, substantially as set forth.

2. In an asphalt mixing machine the combination with the furnace or heating device, of the asphalt pan above. the same, and the sand pau in front of and contiguous to the asphalt pan and over said furnace or continuation thereof, substantially as set forth.

3. In an asphalt mixing machine the combination of the asphalt pan having a iame space below it, means for stirring the asphalt, a steam boiler and furnace adapted to supply steam for the actuation of said stirring means, an injector burner forliquid fuel adapted to deliver a blast into said flame space, and a steam pipe leading from said boiler to the injector burner for operating the latter, substantially as set forth.

4. In an asphalt mixing machine the combination of the asphalt pan having a Iiame space 6 beneath it, the rearward extension or box 46 communicating with the said space, and the injector burner 45 situated in said box and adapted to deliver a blast forward into said space beneath the pan, substantially as set forth.

5. In an asphalt mixing machine the combination of the frame l having the platform 2, the boiler and power mechanism mounted on the same, the asphalt pan and combustion chamber therefor mounted on the forward part of said frame, the frame 7 secured to said frame l, extending upward and forward therefrom, and provided with a 'bearing for the king pin, and the sand drying pan and combustion chamber therefor mounted on the latter frame and contiguous to the asphalt pan, substantially as set forth.

6. In an asphalt mixing machine the com` bination with the asphalt pan, and combustion chamber beneath the same, of the sand drying pan situated in front of the asphalt pan, and having a combustion chamber communicating with that of the asphalt pan, and an independent flue 40 beneath the sand pan and adapted to receive 'the products of combustion to avoid heating the sand pan, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the sand and asphalt pan having combustion chambers beneath them, of the frame 7 having flanges 26 and a fire brick or equivalent lining forming an independent flue for the products of combustion, substantially as set forth.

8. In an asphalt mixing machine the combination with the asphalt pan, and the smoke stack having a communication therewith, of a combustion chamber beneath the pan and communicating with said stack, and an injector burner for liquid fuel adapted to produce a blastbeneath the pan and through said stack for forcibly exhausting the vapor from the asphalt pan, substantially as set forth.

9. In an asphalt mixing machine the combination with a pan, and smoke stack having a communication therewith, of a combustion chamber beneath the pan, an injector burner for producing a blast through said chamber and stack, and one or more pipes or openings affording communication between said combustion chamber and pan for supplying dry air to the surface of the contents of the latter to promote the absorption and removal of water from said contents, substantially as set In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT BUTCHER.

Witnesses:

WALTER B. WRIGHT, Busin I-I. LEATHER.

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IIS 

